Special Effect on stage that had the most impact to you in the storytelling...- Page 3

[actor]

Posted: 10/20/06 at 11:28pm

Just to get back to my question -- Does anyone know how the Phantom disappears at the end of the Phantom of the Opera?

[Sondheim Geek]

Posted: 10/20/06 at 11:41pm

The special effect that hit home... well, the two set changes in A CHORUS LINE, the panels changing and the Cassie fly mirrors. I remember seeing the show for the first time, and the fly mirrors coming down, and the Cassie being slightly startled, but incorporating it into the dance…

Best bit of staging I've ever seen? Either the aforementioned bit in GYPSY, or Bob Martin's bit in THE DROWSY CHAPERONE during 'The Bride's Lament' "Monkey monkey monkey!", because I just saw... so much of myself in that moment of simple staging.

[pharmer2000]

Posted: 10/31/06 at 11:35pm

I just saw Mary Poppins and had to comment on the staging and scenery special effects. The Bank's house is amazing, how we are tranported throughout their home. The animated sky during Feed the Birds is something to see. But that house is unbelievable. It really made you familiar with the home's layout. The use of space on this stage is incredible, and you really feel like there was an actual house on stage. There were many other effects as well, as we would expect from Mary Poppins and Disney. I was very impressed.

Updated On: 10/31/06 at 11:35 PM

[Eastwickian]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 5:09am

This isn't really a special effect in the mechanical sense, but it came from the London production of 'Sunday in the Park with George'. As George leads his mother into the park (before 'Beautiful'), a light shower of autumn leaves began to fall on them. It just matched the moment perfectly.

The interaction between the stage action and projections throughout the production was also a very clever way to provide a 'living backdrop' for the story.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 6:14am

The skeleton projections during IN MY LIFE. I had never been in such a state of awe and utter shock that this show was for real; history projected right before my eyes.

Updated On: 11/1/06 at 06:14 AM

[avab802]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 9:16am

The sequence in Mary Poppins when Mary is setting up her bedroom. I'm a big fan of the movie and wondered if they would do the same things (the carpet bag, etc) on stage, and they did! The kitchen sequence was pretty cool as well, just because I was totally not expecting it to fall apart, lol.

I'd also like to know how in the world Valentine came out of the dollhouse. I was seated center orchestra and could not see the "trick" at all.

[Rocky Horror]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 2:44pm

I think my favourite special effect would be the Prince's transformation into a hideous Beast in 'Beauty and the Beast'.

When I first saw the show, I was a bit dubious about it, but I was captivated as soon as the haunting Prologue started.

I was very familiar with all the music but I knew very little about the staging of the show, so you can imagine my surprise when a (seemingly) old hag transforms into a beautiful, shimmering Enchantress and flies up, towering above the Prince in a matter of seconds!

[FrontRowCenter2]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 3:03pm

Going back to the original post - "back in the day," as a kid I remember being mesmerized during the transformation of Ella to Passionella in "The Apple Tree." I can still remember thinking to myself, "how in the world did she do that??"

[mygfdontliveincanada]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 3:04pm

I would have to say the stampede in "Lion King," the Beast's transformation in "Beauty and the Beast," or--and you may all throw stuff at me now--the chandelier in "Phantom of the Opera." All of those moments are integral to the plot. Take out the efect and it destroys the scene and the direction of the plot. Trust me, you don't want to see "Beauty and the Beast" on a night when the beast can't transform correctly. It sucks.

On a slight tangent though, the funniest special effect ever has to be the huge Kate Monster monster at the wedding scene in "Avenue Q"

[ken8631]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 4:26pm

For me, it was Jane Krakowski being lowered from the ceiling on that drape in "Nine". Impressive, scary and sexy all at the same time!!!

Posted: 2/5/07 at 3:26pm

bump


How did the Titanic sink? Because I saw a production where it started to lower (just 4 feet) and the blue scrim on the floor rose up.

Also, when the Beast spins in the Transformation (can someone go in detail on it?).

I also have some ideas of my on.

1) Les Miz
I would have a turntable that has 4 rings that spin. Imagine Fantine during "Lovely Ladies" standing in the middle, while 3 circles of girls surround her, going in different directions.

2) Titanic
In the last page of dialougue before the boat sinks, but hits the iceberg, a big white plastic thing comes on from the side, with smoke and fog surrounding it and on the floor. People "invisibly" bring on set of blue cloths with a space for wires to go, but the wires aren't attached yet. The people that bring them on are some "dead" people under the sheets. They spontaneousley kick and brings hands up to simulate waves and bodies in the water. Before the boat sinks, the scissorlift is ready to go down. Alot of the smoke fills the stage. Then, the boat goes down the lift at a medium pace. Then, wires fly down and the bodies under the sheets hook the wire to the sheets. The boat continues to sink, but a little faster. The stage left front of the boat comes off, up, and tilts at an angle as the rest of the boat stack on top of and inside the set. That part sinks via wires slowly as the sheets start to fly up via wires. As the boat is taken off the lift, the rest of the boat goes off stage left. Then, people fly up and act dead. We are now underwater. Blackout. Updated On: 2/5/07 at 03:26 PM

[Smartful Dodger]

Posted: 2/5/07 at 3:41pm

I'm surprised more people have not seconded BroadwayGuy's note on PETER PAN coming through the nursery window.

As a kid who grew up with special effects in movies, I was, like, "Whatever" when my parents took me to see PETER PAN. There was no way anything could be as cool as a movie, so I sat -- rather smugly with my arms crossed at nine years old -- waiting for something cool to happen in a "live" performance. Let's just say I was age-appropriately cynical.

Then, Nana showed up chasing the Darling kids (about my age), and that was kind of cool (clearly, a guy in big furry suit). I decided to give it half a chance.

And, when the nursery lights went down and those windows blew open and Peter flew in -- well, that was it. My love affair with theatre began that very night and I've been hooked (no pun intended) ever since.

Updated On: 2/5/07 at 03:41 PM

[mattonstage]

Posted: 2/5/07 at 3:50pm

I second the 'Phone Call from the Vatican' mention.
Pouring of the blood in Doyle's Sweeney Todd, funny and creepy.
Showing of the Zapruder film on Lee Harvey Oswald in the revival of Assassins. Chilling.
And, not technically a special effect, but Audra McDonald, on stage alone singing "Your Daddy's Son" in Ragtime. No effects needed. Magic

[TWSFan4Ever]

Posted: 2/5/07 at 4:15pm

I'm going to have to say "Defying Gravity"...to me, it's what really affects the song.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 2/5/07 at 4:28pm

I love Glinda's bubble, I know - shame shame. But I love that it lets the audience know this is the same Oz, but with a twist, hence the metals around it.

BTW, RockyHorror, the Young Prince is played by another person.

[Sant]

Posted: 2/5/07 at 4:42pm

There's two:

1) CATS, (local production in the 80s which was very different from the London or B'way productions). When Grizabella was sent to heaven they led her to the middle of the floor (no tires or anything) and the cast eventually backed off from Deuteronomy and G'bella and suddenly a part of the floor around Deuteronomy & G'bella rised up. Then a star glided across the air from the wings to the platform and G'bella stepped in it and the star flew off with G'bella waving goodbye.

2) THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. The title song scene. Just so amazing! The "travelator" as the staircase, candles rising from the floor... stunning!
Updated On: 2/5/07 at 04:42 PM

[StarStruckGB]

Posted: 2/5/07 at 4:57pm

Well the Beast's transformation almost gave me seizure if that counts...
Hopefully at least it will be the best lighting effect I've for our show this spring anyway.

[NYC_or_Bust]

Posted: 2/5/07 at 5:35pm

I agree with most-

Beauty and the Beast: The Beast's Transformation, The Bench that folds out of the stage during Belle's Ballgown scene, The entire castle moving back and forth.

GYPSY: The transformation between the small children and the older teens. The Rose Marquees in Rose's Turn (Peters Revival). Use of minimalistic sets (as to focus on the story) LOVED THAT.

42nd Street: The Big Mirror in DAMES, The stairs that come out during the title number.

Mary Poppins: How the rooftop opens and flys down to the stagefloor, how Mary cleans up the kitchen mess, Mary Flying over the audience, the panels or "wings" of the show.

The Lion King: The drout sequence where the fabric gets pulled through the hole in the stage, Mufasas face piecing together."Pride Rock" spiraling out of the stage.

The Drowsey Chap.: Poor Sutton Foster disappearing through the floor-I LOVED IT. The plane appearing at the end of "act 2". Excellent use of the stage in general.

The Color Purple: EXCELLENT use of the revolving floor. Beautiful change of sets and lighting (especially the shooting star at the end of "what about love?")

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG: 3 words- A CAR FLYS!

[NYnativeinLA]

Posted: 2/5/07 at 6:11pm

The one effect that literally took my breath away was in "Equus" when Alan takes his midnight ride and the stage starts spining.

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 2/5/07 at 6:19pm

The lights shining on the FOUR SEASONS during JERSEY BOYS was just so stunning and beautiful.

Defying Gravity, is simply amazing. And gorgeous.


I loved Natalie and Chad riding off into the sunset on the motorcycle and the flying motorcycle angels in All Shook Up, were so great

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 2/5/07 at 7:10pm

the muzzie's apartment set in millie. I was aamzed a set that substantial could be hung from the rafters, and then the damn thing rotated

[lightguy06222]

Posted: 2/5/07 at 8:05pm

into the woods... almost EVERYTHING

ESPECIALLY the witches transformation!

[Raviolisun]

Posted: 2/5/07 at 8:18pm

Defying Gravity. How many things can really take your breathe away like that did?

All Shook Up actually had some pretty cool stuff, too.

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 2/5/07 at 8:23pm

"All Shook Up actually had some pretty cool stuff, too. "



agreed

[strelimyn]

Posted: 2/5/07 at 10:03pm

Alright, seeing as I've only had the opportunity to see two musicals (Wicked and Rent) as I live 13285027 miles away from NY and I live in a town where the words "Broadway" and "Tour" have no real meaning, I shall base my answer on Wicked. :) Disclaimers are always fun.

Anyway, the anticipation of the lift and the power of the song really struck a chord with me. The one glimpse I had of Wicked before seeing it live was the Tony's performance, and, as someone previously said, my jaw dropped. My eyes did not blink for the remainder of the song. So, seeing it live brought those emotions and much more back. Not only does it have a special place in my mind, but it is such a powerful complement to the triumph and power of the song and lyrics.

So ... he finishes ranting - finally. :)